As motorists take to the roads this Memorial Day holiday, The Ocala Police Department is urging everyone to buckle up. Beginning May 20th, law enforcement officials will be out in full force, taking part in the 2013 national Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization and cracking down on motorists who are not belted.

"As we kick-off the busy summer driving season it's important that everyone buckles up every time they go out, both day and night - no excuses," said Ocala Police Department Traffic Unit Sergeant Frank Zadnik. "Our officers are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt - Click It or Ticket."

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 52% of the 21,253 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. As noted, deaths involving seat belt nonuse are more prevalent at night than during the daytime. According to NHTSA, 62% of the 10,135 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2011 during the overnight hours of 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.

"Seat belts save thousands of lives every year, but far too many motorists are still not buckling up, especially at night when the risk of getting in a crash is even greater," said Sergeant Zadnik. "We want everyone to have a safe summer, but it requires an important step on the part of motorists - clicking that seat belt."

In 2011, seat belts saved an estimated 11,949 lives nationwide according to NHTSA. While this year's Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization runs from May 20 through June 2, officers are out enforcing seat belt laws year-round.

For more on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.